Tape smoothing machine



.Iu}yv25, 1939. w. Q GEORGE 2,167,356

TAPE SMOOTHING MACHINE Filed Aug. l, 19.38 Z' sheetssheet 1 Juiy 25, 1939. w. c. GEORGE y 2,167,356

TAPE SMOOTHING MACHINE Filed Aug. l, 1938 2 Sheets-Slieet 2 N im' 52 3% 8 v @GuyM-J Y the'machine,

Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED STATES TAPE SMGOTHING MACHINE Walter C. George, St. Louis, Mo., assigner to Gaylord Container Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Maryland Application August l, 1938, Serial No. 222,350

l2 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for pressing and smoothing out gummed tape upon folded paper box blanks or other articles after beingmanually or mechanically applied thereto. The invention has fox*` its principal objects to obtain complete adhesion of the tape free from blisters and wrinkles; to prevent slippage of the taped article on th`e conveyer during the tape smoothing operation; to provide for adjusting the pressure of the tape smoothing devices on the tape; to enable the machine to accommodate articles of different thicknesses; to provide for varying the speed relation between the article conveying tape smoothing devices; and to adapt the machine for operation in proper timed relation with an automatic taping machine. The invention consists in the tape smoothing machine and in the construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification and wherein like symbols refer to` like parts wherever they occur:

Fig. 1 is a. side elevational view of a tape smoothing machine embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a view of thearticle receiving. endof Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the machine `in the region of the tape brushes and -pressure rollsther'efor,

. Fig.` 4 is va vertical transverse'section on the line 4--4 in Fig.1; "f

Fig.`5 is a perspective view of a foldedbox blank, `'showing the tapei applied thereto over the meeting edges thereof :and

Fig. 6 is a' diagrammatic side elevational view, showing the' variable speedldrive connection between the tapesmoothing machine anda ma-l chine for automatica-ily ailixing the tape to the article and forfeeding the taped article to said tape vsmoothing machine. 1

The machine illustrated in the accompanying' drawings is particularly ,adapted for use in smoothing outa strip `A ofvgummed tape upon a folded paper box blank B to secure vthe parts thereof together or to strengthen `a joint. lSaid machine :comprises a frame C made 4up -of outwardly facing channel-,shaped side and end frame membersy I and, 2,upstandingbrackets@ and! secured to the ends of ,.the respective front, and earend frameme'mbers and .totthe frontand rearf9 .tops ofliedestals, 5;,andI G.lo cate`d ,beneat h.y

'ng ends plfithe side .frame-xnembers` nd Strut ,members 1.99111 rsartesfletel- -.Aa ende..

` passes around a driving pulley 9 at the rear or la painof 4driven cone pulleys 26` 'tha longitudinally ofthe frame C below and intermediate between the side rails I thereof and delivery end of the machine .and a driven pulley 5 III at the front or receiving end thereof. The driving pulley 9 is fixed to a cross-shaft II whose i ends are journaled in suitable bearings I2 provided therefor in the rear pair of pedestals C. The driven pulley Ill is rotatably supported on a cross-shaft I3, whose ends are non-rotatably supported in pockets or recesses I 4 provided therefor in the front pair lof pedestals 6. The driven pulley shaft I0 is adjustable towards and 15 away from the driving pulley shaft I3, to vary the tension of the conveyer belt 8, by means of screws i5 that are threaded through the front pair of pedestals 5 in abutting relation to said driven pulley shaft. The conveyer belt 8 is made zo of suitable friction producing material adapted to resist slippage of the articles thereon. y

The mechanism for smoothing out the gummed tape A affixed to the box blank B comprises a set of floating pressure rolls I 6 that are disposed 25 above and crosswise ofthe rearwardly traveling upper stretch of the 'conveyervv belt 8 a't the re- `ceiving end thereof with their en'ds journaled in horizontal bars Il, whose rear en'ds are anchored to the respective side rails I of th'e frame C by 30 means of links i8. These rollers serve to press the tape down on the box during the initial setting of the glue. The taped article then travels rearwardly along the conveyer belt 8 beneath a brushing device comprising an endless belt I9 located 35 e secured to said belt. The rear end of the belt I9 is 40r supported on and driven by a pair of cone driving pulleys 22 fixed to a horizontal cross-,shaft 23 whose ends are supportedmin suitable' bearings `2li provided therefor in the siderails I ofthe frame C. These cone pulleys are arranged with 45 their beveled surfaces converging inwardly toy wards eachother; ,andrv the inner surfacebfthef ,1 rendless* brush supporting belt lil is provided'witn a continuousseries of longitudinallyspaced drive blocks` 2s, ,whosejends arejbeveledyto nl; between y and .'.frictionally engage the beveldnfeff Sali.

pulleysfat .theIouter peripheralvmarginsthereof., .7, Tneifrotend or the. brushing beltipasses around re xdzvt upported' a drive shaft 21. wheSend-il are..

' serve .tollmit the downward movement rails i of the frame. These bearings are adjusted longitudinally of the frame to vary the tension of the belt by means of adjusting screws 29. The tapered end surfaces of these pulleys face each other and converge inwardly to snugly receive the and rear brushing belt pulleys 22 and 26. These' rollers bear against the I upper surfaces of the drive blocks 25 on the lower Ystretch of the brushing belt I9 during the travel of said stretch beneath said rollers. These rollers are rotatably supported at their ends on journals 3| iixed to the lowerA ends of vertically disposed I rods 32 that extend through alined openings provided therefor in the top and bottom flanges of the side `rails i of the frame. wardly into engagementwith the drive blocks 25 of the lower stretch of the brushing belt by means of coil compression springs 33 that are sleeved on the `rodsvbetween upper spring seats 34 that are sleeved onsaid rods and abut againsta `ubearing strip 35 secured to theundersides of the top flanges of the side rails i of the frame. The lower ends. of these springs bear against spring seats 36 that are sleeved on said rodsA and are adjusted .longitudinally thereof by means of nuts 31 threadedthereon. The rods 32 are provided below the` nuts 43"! With stop collars 38 that seat on bearing strips 39.that are supported onthe bottom flanges of the `side rails. These stop colltals of e spring pressed rods 32.

The upper stretch of the conveyor belt' and the lower stretch of the brushing belt preferably travel in the 'same direction and at diiierent speeds 'in order to obtain a brushing action of the brushes 20 over the tape A. As shown in the drawings, the conveyer belt pulleys 9 and i0 are of smaller diameter than the brushing belt pulleys 22 and. 26, whereby the conveyer belt travels at a 'higher speed than the brushing belt. The driving pulleys 9 of the conveyer belt are driven by a sprocket chain 40, which passes over a 'sprocket wheel 40a secured to the driving pulley shaft il; and the driving pulleys for the brushing belt are likewise driven by a sprocket chain 4l that passes over a sprocket wheel t2 fixed to the driving pulleyshaft 23.

In cases where the tape is afxed to the article Y by a machine such, for instance, as a tapingI machine of the kind shown in my application led concurrently herewith, the tape smoothing machine is placed with its receiving end in position to receive the taped articles as they are discharged from the delivery rolls 43 of the taping machine andthe two belts of said tape smoothing machine are driven from the lowermost discharge roll shaft of said tape machine preferably by means of an endless sprocket chain 44 that passes' over a sprocket wheel 45 xed to said shaft and over on a shaft 5| having a sprocket wheel 52 ixed thereto for driving the sprocket chain 40 which `drives the conveyer belt 8. The shaft 41. is also 'I'he rolls 30 are pressed down- 2,187,856 suitable bearings 28 provided thereforin the side provided with a gear 53 which meshes with a. gear 54 fixed to a shaft 55 located thereabove and provided with a pair of cone pulleys 56 which drive the V-belt that passes over a pulley 51 fixed to a shaft 58 having a sprocket wheel 59 thereon for driving the drive sprocket chain 4| for the brushing belt i9.

The drive pulleys on the shafts 41 and 55 are in the form of cones that are adjustableaxially of the shafts to obtain a change speed drive. This type of drive, which is known `as a Reeves drive, is well known and it is considered unnecessary to illustrate it in detail. By incorporating these Reeves drlvemechanisms in the driving connec- .tion in the automatic taping machine and the tape y smoothing machine, the speed of the smoothing machine may be regulated to operate in proper timed relation with the automatic taping machine and the relative speeds of the brushing and conveying belts may be regulated to obtain the de-v sied brushing action. f

The hereinbefore described tape smoothing machine has several important advantages. It may be readily adapted for use in smoothing tape that is affixed to boxes either by hand or by automatic, taping machines. The relative speeds of the conveyer and brushing belts may be regulated for the time required for the adhesiveto dry, to obtain the proper brushing action required to eliminate wrinkles and bubbles and to make the brushing machineoperate in proper timed relation with the automatic taping machine. 'Ihe weight initially applied to the tape by the rollers at the receiving end of the machine serves to set the tape before it is engaged by the brushes; and the pressure of the brushes on the tape may be regulated by adjusting the springs of the springs pressed, drive block engaging pressure rolls'.

Obviously, the hereinbefore described machine admits of considerable modification without departing from the invention. Therefore, I do not Wish to be limited to the lprecise construction or article shown and described.

What I claim is: c

1. A machine of the kind described comprising an endless conveyer, an endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer, b rushesmounted on the outer surface of said belt in position to engage'an article on said endless conveyer, means for driving said endless coveyer atA and belt in the same direction but at different speeds, and means for varying the speed relation:

ship between said endless conveyer and belt.

2. A machine of the kind described comprising a conveyer, an endless belt' located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer, members movable with said belt and adapted to engage an article on said conveyer, and means for driving said conveyer and said endless belt inV the same direction but at dierent speeds, pressure rolls located above the receiving end of said conveyer in advance of the corresponding end of said belt in position to bear against the article on said conveyer.

3. A machine of the kind described comprising an article supporting conveyer, an endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer, brushes mounted on the outer surface of said belt in position to engage an article on said conveyer, means for driving said conveyer and' said endless belt in the same direction but at dierent speeds, andiloating pressure rolls located above the receiving end of said conveyer in advance of the corresponding end of said belt its 5 located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer, brushes mounted on the outer surface of said belt in position to engage an article on `said conveyer, means for driving said conveyer and said endless belt in the same direction but n at different speeds, and spring-pressed rolls jourzo at different speeds, spring-pressed rolls journaled naled on said machine and adapted to yieldably hold said brushes in engagement with said article.

5. A machine of the kind described comprising an article supporting conveyer, an endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer, brushes mounted on the outer surface of said belt in position to engage an article on said conveyer, means for driving said conveyer an'd said endless belt in the 'same direction but on said machine and adapted to exert a .downward pressure on the lower stretch Iof said end- -less brush carrying belt.

\ 6. A machine of the kind vdescribed comprising 5 an article supporting conveyer, an endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer, brushes mounted on the outer surface of said belt in position to engage an article on `said conveyer, means for driving saidconveyer m and said endless beltA in the same direction but at different speeds, vertically movable rolls journaled in said machine and adapted to engage the lower stretch of said endless brush carrying belt,

. means for yieldably resisting the upward moveg5 ment of said rolls, and means for varying such supporting said endless belt, the pulleys of each drive blocks secured to the inner face of said belt and adapted to frictionally engage the conn verging tapered surfaces of said cone pulleys.

A8. A machine of the kind described comprising an article `supporting conveyer, an endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer, brushes mounted on the outer surface of said belt in position to engage an article on said conveyer, means for driving said conveyer and said endless belt in the same direction but at different speeds, spring-pressed rolls journaled in said machine 'and adapted to exert a w downward pressure on the lower stretch of said endless brush carrying belt, pairs of cone pulleys mounted in said machine for supporting said endless belt, the pulleys of each pair being dislposed with their tapered surfaces converging in- 55 wardly towards each other, and drive blocks seing an article supporting conveyer, an endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer, brushes mounted on the outer surface of said belt in position to engage an article n said conveyer, means for driving said conveyer and said endless\belt in the same direction but at different speeds, spring-pressed pairs of cone pulleys mounted in saidmachine for supporting said endless belt, the pulleys of each pair being disposed with their tapered surfaces converging inwardly towards each other, and drive blocks secured to the inner face of said belt and adapted to irictionally engage the outer peripheral portions of the converging surfaces of said cone pulleys, rolls adapted to exert a dowrward pressure on the drive blocks on the lower stretch of said endless brush carrying belt, and vertically movable hanger rods rotatably supporting said rolls.

10. A machine of the kind described comprising an endless article conveyer belt, a. second endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyer belt, brushes mounted on the outer surface of said second' belt in position to engage an article on said conveyer belt, means' f or driving said conveyer and said endless belt in the same direction but at different speeds,

pairs of cone pulleys mounted in said machine forsupporting said second belt, the pulleys of eachpair being disposed with their tapered surfaces converging inwardly towards each other, drive blocks secured to the inner face of said second belt'arid adapted to frictionally engage the outer' peripheral portions' of the `converging surfaces of said cone pulleys, rolls' adapted to engage the drive blocks on the lower stretch of saidsecond belt, vertically movable hafnger rods supporting said rolls, springs for yieldbiy resisting the upward movement of said hanger rods, and means for adjusting the tension of said springs.

11. A machine of the kind described comprising an article supporting conveyer, an endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of `said conveyer, brushes mounted on the outer pair being disposed with theiry tapered surfaces Surface 0f .Said belt in positiOn t0 engage an articonverging inwardly towards each other, and

vcle on said conveyer and said endless belt in the same direction, power driven means for amxing adhesive tape to said articles and delivering them onto the receiving end of said conveyer, and a driving connection between said power driven means and said conveyer and said endless belt tol including means for varying the speed relationship between said conveyer and said belt and between said conveyer and belt and said power driven tape amxing and article feeding means.

"12. A machine of the kind described comprising an endless article supporting conveyor, an endless belt located above and disposed longitudinally of said conveyor, brushes mounted on the outer surface of said Ybelt in position to engage an article on said conveyor, means for'driving said conveyor and said endless belt in the'same direction but at different speeds, and means mounted on said machine and adapted to engage the lower stretch of said endless belt to yieldably hold the brusheson said stretch inv engagement with the article on said conveyor. 

